Crane



March 23 1926. w G WEHR 1,577,667

v CRANE I ram Filed Sept. 4, 1923 s Sheets-Shet 1 -J f MM kwm March 23",1926.

w. a. WEHR CRANE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 4, 1 923 EEG. B.

Man 23 1926.

How's 10 18 3 O l 14 .m '1: Ill I v w. G. WEHR CRANE Filed Sept. 19

I Patented Mar. 23, 1926. I y I unease stares tanner .r

rare-mosaic WILLIAMG. WEHR, OF EAST CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THECLEVELAND CRANE AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF WICKLIFFE, OHIO, ACORPORATION OF OHIQ,

(mans. I

Application filed September 4, 1923. Serial No. s60,75.

To all 101.0111 it may concern I j Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. Wnim,a citizen of the United States, residin at East C'eveland. in the countyof Cuyalioga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Cranes, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description.

The present invention relates to overhead traveling cranes of the typecommonly used for lifting, transferring and depositing relatively heavyartic'es from any particular point or location to any other desiredlocation within such rectangular shaped space' as a crane may bedesigned to cover, and likewise having bridge, trolley and runwaymembers.

The runways of the usual crane are arranged parallel to each other andextend longitudinaly ofthe working space it is desired to-cover by thecrane one located on each side of such space. These runways form thesupport for stationary track surfaces which extend from end to endthereof, and lying in the same horizontal plane at a fixed elevation,they constitute the support for flanged truck wheels with which thebridge is provided and which are adapted to travel thereon.- I

The bridge is of a length to span across the space between said runwaytracks with its truck wheels arranged so as to retain (theoretically)its longitudinal axis at right angles therewith while it is propelledlaterally along the same.

The trolley which is supported by the bridge is provided with flangedtruck whees for its support. and adapted to travel upon longitudinaltrack surfaces with whichthe bridge is provided and which extend fromend to end thereof, said trolley being thus enabled to move back andforth across the space covered by the bridge. The trolley constitutesthe member forming the support for hoisting apparatus for raising andlowering whatever weight or article the crane is designed to carry, thesame being usually suspended beneath it. v

The operation of the crane thus being as follows: When anartice ishoisted so as to be clear from the floor level beneath it and of anyobjects lying thereon, by moving the bridge along the runway tracksseparately or simultaneously said article can be carried to anddeposited in any position within the space that is spanned by the bridgeand is subtended by the runway tracks."-" Such movements usually aresubject to independent control and they are also etl'ected either by theapplication of manual power or of 160 electrically driven motors actingintermittently, each being separately subject to manual control. Saidpower applications are commonly efiected through the medium of wheelgearing having connection with the drum' of the hoisting apparatus andwith the wheels upon which the trolley and the bridge members aremounted. I

Due to the fact that the flanges of those wheels which support thebridgeare unable usually to exercise an efi'ective Control to securesuch concerted movements 01' the 0pposite ends of the bridge, as tomaintain it securely in its proper and square relationship with therunway traeks, on account of 'the relative shortness of the wheel baseof its end trucks as compared with the length 0t span between saidtracks, it is common to rigidly connect corresponding wheels at saidopposite ends of the bridge by means of shafting extending lengthwise ofthe bridge between the end trucks. Even under these conditions thebridge portion of the crane must at times be squared with respect to therunways.

In order that cranes of the above class may possess requisite strengthand stability they are necessarily heavy and 'as heretofore constructedmuch friction is consequently developed in the action of those parts bywhich their horizontal movements are effected, and in order that suchmovements may be rapidly executed, relatively powerful motors must beused and where manual power only can be afforded, much severe labor isinvolved and the movements are of necessity slow and unsatistactorynndconsequently their use is prohibited m many lines.

by whose action the horizontal movementof 1 the bridge and the trolleyare effected, that. when an article is lifted so as to be clear of allobstructions, it may be moved in any direction by the application of aslight horizontal pressure exerted against it orl'he' It is thereforethe object of the presen't i object of thisinvention, and to reduce theforce necessary t move the crane along its runway, that friction of thewheels on their bearings be as small as possible, and

for that reason suitable anti friction bearings of'tlie ball or rollertype are utilized. Likewise it is important that rubbing and thereforefriction between the wheels and the trackways be avoided.

The two pairs of wheels engage and ride over the two lower flanges 14 ofeach T rail trackway 14. The crane runway therefore consists of twodouble trackways constituting in effect four rails or surfaces,-two

- for one end of the crane and two for the rill other. p g

It is to be noted in this connection that the treads of the'wheels 2-5are beveled and that the uppersurfaces of the flanges over which thewheels run are beveled or tapered downwardly from the web of the rail.This feature is important to the attainment of the object of thisinvention for in/co-operation with other features, it maintains thecross member of the crane square with respect to-the runways andprevents skewing of the crane when force is applied near one end thereof(as when the trolley is near said end) to move the crane along itsrunway. The bevel of the wheel treads and the taper of the trackwayshave this effect for the reason that any skewing or rotating of thecrane about one end requires that part of the wheels run up the inclineof the. trackways but the weight of the crane Whether loaded or nottends to prevent this, and there is therefore a constant tendency forthe crane to remain in its lowest possible position and for the beveledwheel and trackway surfaces to oppose the lifting of the weight of thecrane as would ensue if the crane should skew or more out of square withrespect to the runways.

I do not regard it ascssential that both the'treads of the wheels andthe wheel engaging flange of the rails be inclined or ta cred, but it isimportant that one or the otlier be tapered, and in the claims thisfeature is defined by the expression tapered or inclined contact.

The wheels 25 as shown are provided with flanges 25 but these are notnecessary to maintain the wheels properly on the trackways, and, infact, under ordinary conditions the flanges of the wheels do not bearagainst the edges of the flanges is forming the trackways and, indeed,this engagement is not desired, and in my constructionis avoided, for asalready stated it is important that the friction and resistance tomovement be minimized.

Another feature which I believe to be essential to the attainment of theresult just stated, i. e., the prevention of friction and of a rubbingaction between the flanges of the trackways and of the wheels and forthe prevention of skewing of the crane when force to move it is appliednear one end, is the flexible suspension of the trackway rails 14. Itwill be observed that the rails are flexibly suspended through themedium of suspending members or rods 28 which allow the rails to movelaterally slightly. By

this expedient slight irregularities in the alignment in the rails 14;is compensated for, for the reason that the tapered wheels and trackwaysand the necessity of the wheels lifting the weight of the crane and itsload (if it is loaded) by the movement of the wheels up the inclinedsurfaces of the trackways will cause such a lateral shifting of therails as to compensate for irregularities in alignment, the net effectl-eing to keep the wheels and trackways u nteredand preventing draggingof the Images of the wheels against the outer edges of the trackways. I

The wheels therefore ride onto the lower portions of the flanges of thetrackways so. that the crane will be kept in its lowest possibleposition. Because of the bevel or taper of the wheels and 'of theflanges of the trackways or of the inclined contact, also the flexiblesuspension of the rails which allows the rails to adjust themselves by aslight lateral movement to the wheels, also the rigid connection betweenthe cross member of the crane and the end trucks, also the lowfrictional resistance to movement of the crane, and possibly also otherfeatures of this combiuation including the swiveling of the wheel frameson the truck bodies, the'crane will remain in its lowest position andwill not twist but will remain square or at right an-' gles to thetrackways when force is applied near one end of the crane to move italong its runway. In this connection it is to be noted that no shaftingneed be employed to connect opposite wheels of the end trucks to causethem to actor move in concert.

Therefore, even though the trolley is near one end of the cross memberof the frame and though it maybe supporting its maximum load, the oerator by pushing or pulling on the rigi member 21 can cause the craneto travel along its' runway and he can do this without the necessity ofhis applying a great deal of force.

Therefore the necessiay of first moving the trolley to the center of thecross member of the crane is entirely avoided and loads its lib

can be lrnnsmiiied from one point to a preclelermincd other point muchmore quickly than heretofore, saving time and labor and thereforegreatly improving the eiiicienoy of the crane.

In foot, with my invention practice has shown thee not'only cavnlthecrane be moved along the runway. regardless of where the trolley may belocated on the cross member of the cronc,butif the opcratoropplies theforce in the right direction hecnnnt the sometime cause the crane to bemoved alon the runwoy and the trolley to be move nlong the cross memberof the crane, thus saving time in transferring e load. from one point toanother selected point. l

i v While I have shown the preferred conscruction ivith'numerousimportant features oonsisling of two spaced tracks fiexibly susooded soas to be apable of limited lateral movement, of n crane movable manuallynlongr the runway and having a manually mo in trolley, said cranecomprising a mo member hnvingcnd trucks rigidly secured l'h-ercto, eachtruck being provhed will; wheels engaging the tracks, on opposii'c sidesof the cross ,mcmber,jwhereby they lend. lo .nmini' uin the crane squarewith respect lo the rumvay, and thecrane may be unwell along the runwayby applying force to the trolley regardless o the osition of lhe trolleyon. the cross member 0 the crane.

The combination with a crane runway consisting} of spaced tracks llexiblsuspended so as in be capable of limited ateral 'niovclnrnt, of a cranemovable manually along the runway and having a manually movable lrollcy,said crane comprising a cross member or ln'idgc having'end trucksextending crosswise of and riflidly secured lo the ends of the crossmember and providezl on opposite sides of the cross member with trackenqnging wheels, the trends of the wheels unci ths vvhccl engagingsurfaces of the lraclrs lnwingr lnclined or tapered contact whereby theytcndiio maintain the ozone square W-lilll respect tothe runway,

and the crane may be moved along; the run-- Why by applying force to thetrolley regyrolless of l reposition of the trolley on cross member ofthe crane,

The combination with a crane rum'ay o. consist ng; oi two spliced doubleiraclnvnys I Lemon? flexibly suspended so as to. be capable of Ilmitccllateral movement, of a crane adapted to be moved manually alon therunway and having a manually mova ble trolley,,-seid crane comprisingacross member heving'e n trucks rigidly secured to its ends, iheirnckshaving on opposite sidesof the cross mcmher, pairs of free runningwheels enging the double trackways', the wheels and ,trackwoys havingtapered or. inclined .con-

ill

tact whereby the crane is automatically";

'maintaincd square with respect to the runway, and the crane may bemovedolong the runway by force applied to the; trolley re- "Jgardlcss ofthe position of the trolley on the cross member of the crane. 4. Thecombination withn cranerunwny consistingmf tworails, each having op'positely extendin flimgcsjhe rails being flexi-bly.'suspende of a craneadapted to be moved manually alon therunwaynnd having a manually mova letl'olley, said crane comprising n cross member provided at its ends withend-trucks rigidly securedthere to, the trucks each having two pairs offree running wheels en iaging ihe opposite flanges of one ofthcrai s,the trends of the wheels and the upper-surfaces of. the mu flangeshaving inclined or tapered contact whereby the latter nmintains thecrane square with respect to the rnnway, and ihe crane may bemoved-along the runway by ,--n,pplying force tolihe trolley re'srdlcss-oi.

imposition on the cross member 0 the crane. Y

5. The combination with a ernne runway "consistin of two spaced rails,each having a pair'o oppositely extending flanges wit tapered uppersurfaces, the rails being flexilily suspended sofas to be capable ofhmiteci lnteralmovcinent, of a crane adapted to.

moved manually along the runway and ha?- ing a manually movable trolleyeon-yin o I hoist, thecrane comprising e cross mom w and a pair oftrucks at the ends thereof, each compmsjed-m? a truck body arrangedtransvcrsely of the cross member-end rigidly so cnred'lbercto, sald'iruck boinprovidod on opposite sides of the'cross mom nwiihwheel frameslmving free running wheels on op- A posito sides of one ofthe rollsoml'hovlng trends engaging the tapered mill was.

6. The combination with o crane runway consisting of two spacedra'ils,each having a pair of oppositely ascending flanges; with to wind 11 persurfaces, the rolls hem Eon.

ib y 'suspc dad so as to be sensible of amino lateral movement, of acrane eclnpteilt'o be i moved manually alon thorun'wny and-ha ingramanually move is trollcy'cnrrylng e hoist, the crane comprisin or crossmorn r and n pelioftrucks no t o ends thereof, each composed of atruck'bociy in'rangod lrunsversoly of the cross member and vided onopposi io sides oi like limiter Willi wheel frames having wheels onopposite l sac ace? sides of one of the rails and having treads engagingthe tapered rail flanges, the truck bodies being rigidly secured to thecross member of the crane and the wheel frames having a pivoted orswivel connection with the truck bodies,

7. The combination with a crane runway consisting of two spaced. tracksflexibly suspended so as to be capable of limited lateral movement, ofa, cranemovable manually along the runway and having a manually movabletrolley provided with a hoist, the crane comprising a bridge having endtrucks rigidly secured to the ends thereof, the trucks having freerunning wheels engaging the tracks and provided with anti-frictionbearings, said wheels and tracks having a tapered or inclined contactwhereby they tend. to maintain the cranesquarc with respect to therunway and the crane may be moved along the runway by applying force tothe trolley egardless of the position of the trolley on the bridge.

8.- The combination with a crane runway consisting of two spaced tracksflexibly suspended so as to be capable of limited lateral 'movcment, ofa crane movable along the runway and having a trolley with a hoist, thecrane comprising a bridge having rigidly secured to the ends thereoftrucks each provided with wheels engaging the tracks on opposite sidesof the cross member, the trolley l'iaving a rigiddownwardly extendingmember to which force may be applied to move the trolley along thebridge and to move the crane along the runway regardless olf theposition of the trolley on the bridge.

9. The combination with a crane runway consisting of two spaced rails,each having a 'pair of oppositely extending flanges, the

rails being flexibly suspended so as to becapable of limited lateral.movement, of a crane adapted to be moved manually along he runway andhaving a manually movable trolley carrying a hoist, the crane comprisinga cross i'ncmber and a pair of trucks at the ends thereof, each composedof a truck body arranged transversely of the cross n'iember and rigidlysecured thereto and provided on opposite sides of the latter with wheelframes having wheels on on osite sides of one of the rails and havingtreads engaging the opposite rail flanges, the trol ley'having a rigiddownwardly extending member to which force is applied to move thetrolley along the cross member of the crane and to move the crane alongthe runway regardless of the position of the trolley on the crossmember.

10. The combination with a crane runway consisting of two spaced rails,each having a pair of oppositely extending flanges, of a crane adaptedto be moved manually along the runway and having a manually movabletrolley carrying a hoist, the crane comprising a cross member and a pairof trucks at the ends thereof, each composed of a truck body arrangedtransversely of the cross member and provided on opposite sides of thelatter with wheel frames having wheels on opposite sides of one of therails with treads engaging the rail flanges, each truck body beingrigidly secured to the cross mem ber of the crane and the wheel frameshaving'a swivel connection with the truckbods ies.

l1. The combination with 'a crane runway consisting of two spacedparallel track rails, each having supporting flanges extending alongopposite sides thereof, of a crane comprising a cross member bridging'the space between the tracks and provided with end trucks extendingcrosswise thereof having free running supporting wheels arranged in 8pairs on opposite sides ofthe cross member with the wheels of each pairtraveling upon opposite flanges of the rail, whereby the rose member ismaintained square with respect to the runway and may be moved along therunway by a thrust exerted anywhere along the length thereof, and afreely movable hoist carrying trolley mounted to travel along the runwayand adapted to besshifted by a thrust exerted manually thereon wherebyan operator walking along the ground may by pushing or pulling onthetrolley cause a combined IIIOVCIHQIlbOf the trolley and cross membersuch that the travel of the trolley with respect to the groundis in thedirection of thrust.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto atlix my signature.

, "WILLIAM G. W EHE.

